Gibson Custom Shop SJ-200 Red Spruce

The Spruce is Loose!

Wildwoodians, we're proud to introduce this special run of Red Spruce-topped SJ-200s! These supercharged Jumbos are sonic juggernauts that will take your lunch money and laugh about it afterward, all due to the magic of red (sometimes known as Adirondack) spruce. We've been big fans of the SJ-200 at Wildwood since, well, the start of Wildwood, and this little tweak to the top gives these guitars a bold and inspiring take on Jumbo tone. Let's dive a little deeper and see why this small change results in such a fresh, exciting voice!

Red spruce imparts a few sonic qualities that work beautifully in the context of a jumbo guitar with maple back and sides. First off, it increases the guitar's headroom AND its maximum volume; in other words, it's an acoustic guitar that can go to eleven and still sound clear! To put it more concretely, every acoustic guitar has a "point of no return" after which it can get no louder. After that, it just becomes more compressed and more overtones pop out--sort of like how an electric amp gets dirty past a certain point on the volume dial.

Guitars with sky-high headroom like this Red Spruce SJ-200 sound open and clear even when you're really digging in, and they have a wider dynamic range, too. Red Spruce also emphasizes the fundamental tone powerfully, giving these SJ-200s a woody, punchy, warm vintage-style tonality. Finally, it also improves articulation and gives the attack a percussive quality. Articulation, clarity, and a strong fundamental are some of maple's biggest strengths, so the Red Spruce makes magic in tandem with the back and sides, too!

As a result, these Red Spruce SJ-200s have a mighty voice that projects two counties over while also sounding full-bodied and three-dimensional. It's a world-beating strummer that fills the room with such a delectable tone that you can't help but get lost. Fair warning: you may play an A chord only to come to hours later having not moved or fed yourself--it's that addictive! We're proud to present the Red Spruce SJ-200, and we have no doubt its new spin on the classic Gibson Jumbo sound will inspire you to embark on all sorts of exciting acoustic adventures!

All Hail the King of the Flat-Tops

Ever since 1937, the SJ-200 has been the king of the flat-tops, and it has ruled over every genre from arena rock to old-time country. Its enduring popularity in a wide variety of musical styles is a testament to its timeless design and spectacular sound.

Originally, Gibson designed the SJ-200 for singing cowboys like Ray Whitley that needed to project over a full band. In the thirties, primitive public address systems offered little in the way of sound reinforcement beyond boosting the vocals. So, acoustic guitars had to be big and loud to be heard live! Thus, the king of the flat-tops was born.

Many of the same qualities that made the SJ-200 a favorite of singing cowboys have made it a desirable guitar for recording, live use, and general music-making merriment. Spruce and maple are a delightful pair of tonewoods, and they work wonders together as part of a jumbo body. Spruce is a balanced, bright, clear-sounding tonewood, and maple adds high-end chime and cut. Two woods with such bright timbres could easily sound thin together, but the jumbo body size ensures that the SJ-200 still puts out plenty of warm, rich low-end to balance out the sonic equation. So, you get a supremely articulate acoustic that projects like nobody's business while maintaining excellent balance and full harmonic response!

Players the world over fell in love with the SJ-200's spectacular tonality. It records like a dream (listen to "Pinball Wizard" by The Who, "Black Mountain Side" by Led Zeppelin, or "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles for proof), and its regal sound cuts through a mix like nobody's business while providing a solid foundation for other instruments to build upon. We're proud to showcase such an inspiring instrument for our exceptional customers!